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MARCOUSSIS, France - France rugby team manager Jo Maso has affirmed that any of his players caught doping can kiss their international career goodbye.
On Tuesday the French anti-doping authorities turned their attention to the World Cup hosts, who have been training in buoyant but serious mood here this week following two friendly victories over defending world champions England.
Maso however applauded the French Anti-Doping Agency's (AFLD) decision to carry out random doping controls on 18 of the squad's players after training.
"We were told at 0900 (7pm NZT) they would be arriving in 15 minutes. The names of 18 players were pulled out of a hat, and none of them knew they were coming," said Maso.
"I welcome the tests, especially as this morning our own team biologist came and took blood samples from the players. There will be more (tests) carried out by the federation during the World Cup."
Three doping controllers carried out urine tests on the 18 players, 14 of whom are in the 22-man squad named by coach Bernard Laporte for France's final World Cup warm-up game against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday.
And Maso said that there would be no quarter given in the event of abnormalities from either internal or external tests.
"I have every confidence in my medical staff," he said. "But that doesn't mean that we are totally immune from having an isolated (doping) case.
"If there are any abnormalities then whoever it concerns can kiss goodbye to his international career because he will be banned for life (from playing for France).
"It will then be up to the League and the clubs to decide what action to take, but as far as we're concerned we have to lead by example."
- AFP
